When you get so sick and so rundown there is only one way to go and that is up to good health. I feel that I don't want to get any lower, so it is time to take control and do what ever I have to do to get healthier. I have been seeing doctors and they are doing what they can, I joined Spark People and they do what they can, so now I have to show myself what I can do. I am tracking my weight and other measurements, as well as food intake, and exercise. So far I had a very slow start infact I ...

When you get so sick and so rundown there is only one way to go and that is up to good health. I feel that I don't want to get any lower, so it is time to take control and do what ever I have to do to get healthier. I have been seeing doctors and they are doing what they can, I joined Spark People and they do what they can, so now I have to show myself what I can do. I am tracking my weight and other measurements, as well as food intake, and exercise. So far I had a very slow start infact I went backwards when I started working out. Now in the last 2 weeks I am losing like crazy, and enjoying every ounce of it. I hope that I can keep this ball rolling, and meet my first goal of 180 pounds before fall. I really would like to get back down between 135 and 150, time will tell. I am glad though to be at 208 and dropping.

Thank you so much for the smiley face goodie. I really needed the smile today as I sprained my ankle. I've been feeling kind of bummed as I've had to spend the day sitting around like a lump instead of doing things I really enjoy, like playing kinect. Hope you had a really great day too. You sure made mine!! hugs, ~Ruby

Thank you for your nice words! As you can imagine, losing the weight for me it wasnt easy either, especially with fibromyalgia. For me, it was essential to set short term goals and take it easy with the workouts, especially at the beginning. I LOVE working out, so I tend to overdo it... which with Fibro can be a big problem.

I lost the first 30 pounds just counting calories with sparkpeople and working out. The first few months I only did Zumba-low impact 3 times/week. When my body started get use to those, I added impact to those 3, then added a Steps class without the little step and no impact.

Due to the side effects of the prescription meds for Fibro, I got stuck and eventually gained about 10 pounds, even though by then I was working out 5-6 days/week. After a chemical imbalance that ended in the E.R. due to the pills, I went to a doctor to change the pills, do acupuncture and change my diet. With the doctor and my workouts, I lost the remaining 60 pounds.

Now I am a Zumba (and Group) Instructor and I'm working out 6 days/week. The most important thing is to find a type of workout that YOU enjoy. For me the group classes work, but for others the treadmill, videos, DVDs, Wii, Kinect are better options; it will all depend on which one you like best and what works for your health conditions. If there's anything else I can do to help, feel free to contact me again.